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(COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.) -The top female boxers from the United States will return to action, November 22-29 at the 2008 AIBA Women's World Championships in Ningbo City, China. The squad will depart for China on November 15 for an acclimation training camp, November 16-21, prior to opening competition on November 22.

The United States team boasts a strong squad of young, talented newcomers and experienced international veterans. Reigning Pan American Champion and 2006 World Championships light flyweight bronze medalist Marlen Esparza (Houston, Texas) will lead the team into action in Ningbo City. She is joined by two-time World Championships team member and 2008 Pan American light bantamweight champion Sacred Downing (Trenton, N.J.); 2005 World Championships participant, flyweight Cheryl Houlihan (Santee, Calif.) and 2006 World Championships competitor, lightweight Carrie Barry (Colorado Springs, Colo.). 2008 Pan American bantamweight titlist Cynthia Moreno (Phoenix, Ariz.) will vie for her first World Championships hardware in Ningbo City, China.

Coaches Ted Palac (Hamtramck, Mich.), Harry Thomas (Stafford, Texas), and Bonnie Canino (Dania Beach, Fla.) will lead the U.S. team into competition in Ningbo City. Krysti Rosario (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) will serve as Team Manager for the event with Mike Rosario (New York, N.Y.) working as the AIBA Official and Dr. George Palmer (Scottsdale, Ariz.) joining the squad as the Team Physician.

The event draw, opening ceremony and first session of preliminary round action will all take place on Saturday, November 22. Preliminary round competition will run through November 25 at the Ningo Youngor Gymnasium in the Ningbo Sports Center. Quarterfinal action will be contested on November 26 with all the competitors enjoying a rest day on November 27. Competition will resume on November 28 with semifinal action and end with the championship round on November 29.

The United States won three medals at the most recent World Championships in 2006, earning two silver and one bronze. The 2008 edition will be the fifth Women's World Championships, with the first taking place in Scranton, Pa., in 2001.